Letter: Open letter to Mayor Gregerson

Nov 27, 2017

Editor’s Note:

This letter was given to myself along with many others who attended the Candidate Forum for prospective councilmembers last month.

Mayor Gregerson: Almost a year ago I submitted to you a short paper on the genuine issues associated with mass Muslim resettlement in Mukilteo, documenting problems and misunderstandings in the Seattle Metro region.

I only received a brief note from Mukilteo Planning Manager Glen Pickus that, among other things, endorsed Female circumcision (FGM), apparently as part of the planned welcoming for Muslims commitment of the mayor and council.

At that time I objected, since FGM is illegal under federal law and it is a grave human rights violation against women and girls that we should never allow in our community.

As I noted on May 27, 2017, respinding to your letter of April 27, 2017, in which you said we had never discussed this matter, I noted that I had previously raised this issue with you on June 27, 2016, following the letter from Pickus on May 23, 2016 noting city acceptance of the Muslim practice FGM. FGM is against federal law. You never answered my letter of June 27, 2016.

Suddenly realizing that you probably did not know what FGM was, I sent a link to a medical article on FGM and infibulations, with photographs. Then, you abruptly said, “I am opposed to that practice.”

However, I remain very troubled that our city’s government continues to endorse FGM, seemingly as part of the plan to welcome 10,000 Muslim refugees into our community of only 20,000. The fact that Mukilteo has embraced FGM is shameful.

Like the recent mutilations of several little girls in Michigan, Mukilteo’s embrace of FGM would shock the nation. Your private, almost secret disavowal of FGM is not enough.

Mayor Gregerson, I would like to hear your thoughts on this.

I have waited almost a year for a meaningful response. Please do not pretend this means nothing. I would like to hear that you and the members of the city council that voted for welcoming are planning some real step to distance Mukilteo from the barbaric practice of female circumcision.